Letters to the editor: July 16

Charges weren't needed in Zimmerman case

The charges against George Zimmerman should have never happened to begin with. Somehow, we need to find a way to ruin the life of these out-of-control prosecutors like they do to those they accuse.

Tony Lee

Oxford

Don't hurt state with marriage amendment

Within minutes of the Supreme Court announcing the decision in Windsor v. Holder overturning the Defense of Marriage Act restrictions on federal recognition of marriage, Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President David Long declared a need for a constitutional amendment to forever tie the hands of the Indiana General Assembly on the issue of same-sex families and marriage equality in Indiana.

Such was the threat to marriage in Indiana, that Gov. Mike Pence (and his staff) even squelched dissent on his Facebook page, when Hoosiers tried to voice opposition to this renewed attack on LGBT families.

Many would argue that civil unions or some other arrangement would be the "same thing" with benefits and protections for families. While I would argue that this is essentially "separate but equal," I would also point out that the second line of the proposed amendment HJR6 says, "A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized."

No marriage, no civil unions, no protections whatsoever ... or whatever the courts decide this might mean.

This means the legislature's hands (as well as the court's) would be tied for the next generations.

It seems like the tide of history is pulling against that course. Of course, Indiana politicians seem to want to ensure that Indiana is the last state in the union to enshrine marriage discrimination, just as the rest of the country (and world) are moving away from it.

Randy Studt

Lafayette

Where's sense of history for older record stores

I am responding in reference to Sunday's J&C article, "Gathering around the turntable." The article appears to be a blatant attempt to publicize an upstart business at the expense of local institutions.

The last I checked, Von's Records has been in business in West Lafayette since 1968. JL Records has been here since 1981 with a physical store and LP sales at Tippecanoe Mall dating back to the mid-1970s.

The article acts as if these stalwarts of LP sales do not exist.

The problem with those stores is patently evident. They are businesses first, and being a place to hang out is an afterthought.

I also doubt that anyone older than 30 - you know, the real record nerds that took classes in buildings other than Pao Hall - would be welcome at such gatherings.